THE RAKAIA BRIDGE.
TO the editor op the press. Sir .—I notice in the Lyttelton Times of Thursday a letter, signed "Charles Reed," criticising the working of the Rakaia ferry, and comparing it with that of former years, when it was managed by a few neighboring settlers. I must admit I quite believe Mr Charles Reed has written his letter conscientiously, but altogether from a squatter's point of view. Indeed, before he has well got half through his letter, he admits that a bridge across the Rakaia is not necessary ; and all those who look at thequestiou in a squatter's point of view will say, so far as the interests of squatters arc concerned, a bridge across the Rakaia is an absolute injury. I think this is all that need be said about Mr Charles Reed's letter.
And now about the leader in the same paper, of the same date. - A careful reader will find nothing in that leader beyond an attempt to make a catspaw of mc, to scratch the Superintendent with; but allow mc to say, dear William, it won't do. Contractors are too respectable to be drawn into a newspaper brawl—try the doctors again." What I have to say to the manyheaded monster—as the Lyttelton Times chooses to call the public—is this :if the. Government would like to reconsider tho arrangement they have entered into with mc for working the ferry, and should decide that it is detrimental to the interest of travellers on the South road, I am quite willing to shut up my temporary bridge, and cancel my lease, so as to enable them to work the ferry as before. And lam anxious to intimate to
the wool-growers that, although last season 1 1 did offer to cross wool over my temporary bridge at Is 6d, I can't afford to cross it afc less than 2b per bale ; and should Ibe in a position to cross wool \ a the same way next season, that will be my charge lam sure it is a great boon to the sheepfarmers to he able to have their wool crossed free from wet, •?«." certaint y- In conclusion, I will say, if the next year's freshes are as heavy as they were the last three seasons, the squatter with_is wool, and the coachman with his papßengcrs, will be standing on the banks of an angry river, wishing for a bridge to cross over.
Your humble servant. William White. P.S.—I am free to confess that lam able to defend myself against the w-' n ? c ! the Lyttelton Times, because it tV -iters in ness— they have nothing else * -■> tbeir buB1 " while my thoughts are p* i ° think about, useful, but if they pp~ something mora for the sake of p*>- -sist in scandalising mc dent, why I»- -rsecuting the Superintenfind auotH -"ist grin and bear it till they ..er catspaw.
THE RAKAIA BRIDGE.
Press, Volume XVIII, Issue 2472, 1 April 1871, Page 2
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